HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY FATHERS

Early History

We do not know when Christianity arrived in Shropshire. Tradition tells us that St Simon the Zealot came to Britain soon after the arrival of the Roman Legions (43 AD) but his activities are related to Yorkshire. What we do know however is that the Romans established a very substantial city about five miles East of Shrewsbury at what is now called Wroxeter. It was called Viroconium Cornovii and was the fourth largest city in Britain. The words 'Wroxeter' and 'Wrekin' (the hill that dominates East Shropshire) are directly derived from Viroconium. Probably it was pronounced 'Wrekonium'.

However the earliest evidence we have for certain is contained in a letter inscribed on a lead tablet that was found in the King's bath at Bath - Aquae Sulis, dating from about the mid fourth century. It is from a man called Virusius, a Christian inhabitant of Viroconium to a woman called Nigra. In the letter he warns her of the arrival of a certain Bilonicus, who he describes as canem Arii - an Arian dog. Not only does this give us evidence of Christians in Viroconium but it also shows us that they were Orthodox and followers of our own 318 Holy Fathers of Nicea in 325 AD, who of course were called together by the Emperor St Constantine the Great to resolve the problem of the Arian heresy.

With the withdrawal of the legions at the beginning of the fifth century a period of considerable political instability followed. However Viroconium continued to flourish for some time. For instance St Germanus of Auxerre came to Britain to counter the teachings of the heretic Pelagius in 429 and again in 447. He certainly visited Viroconium, indeed it seems to have been the base for his mission into what is now mid and north Wales: The last British Archbishop of London, Theonas (Teon) fled to Viroconium in 586 when London fell to the pagan Saxons. The range of hills known now as the Stiperstones are called, in Welsh, Carneddi Teon in memory of him. Some of Teon's disciples, including his grandson St Llywelyn, started a monastery at Welshpool, and their mission helped convert mid Wales particularly through the work of their disciples Sts Gwyddfarch and Tysilio.

There have been important excavations at Wroxeter where the Bath House has been revealed. Perhaps more interestingly it is now known that the city was extensively re-planned in the 5th century and a building has been discovered which some suggest was the house of the bishops of Viroconium. At some point the city was abandoned. Two of the very earliest churches in Britain exist close to Viroconium, St Andrew, Wroxeter and St Eata, Atcham both dating to at least the 7th century. So as the British migrated westward, abandoning Viroconium, the English moved behind them, being converted in due course following the missionary drive of St Oswald and St Aidan and then St Chad. It was following this period that a monastery for nuns was established at Much Wenlock by St Milburga around 670. The monastery quickly attracted substantial endowments and it is suggested by some authorities that the land which is now the parish of Sutton was part of that endowment.

From excavations in the 1970's we know that Sutton was occupied from prehistoric times and right through the Romano-British period. Amongst a number of interesting finds was a Neolithic watercourse which ran to a stone lined basin a few yards South East of Sutton church. It is suggested that this may have been a pagan site, christianised to become a baptistery. This might account for the siting of our church.

The Middle Ages

What is certain however is that the manor of Sutton remained in the ownership of the monastery at Much Wenlock until the end of the middle ages. It is unthinkable that any monastery would own a manor without erecting some kind of church for the enlightenment of their tenants and we may assume this to be the case in Sutton. It was probably a very simple wooden building and about all we have to show for this period is the ancient stone font. However in the view of some archaeologists there may have been an earlier stone church than the one we see now. This is because the lancet windows in the north wall seem to be set into older walls. In 1086, Sutton was recorded in the Doomsday Book as belonging to Wenlock Abbey. By this time of course England with much of the Western half of what had been the Roman empire now split away from the Orthodox Church and became Roman Catholic. The present church building was certainly built before 1278 because it is recorded in an inquisition document of that year as St Milburga's. Just before the dissolution of the monasteries Sutton had become a possession of Shrewsbury Abbey. With the Reformation came another change of Faith for the worshippers in our church - protestantism. During this Anglican period it was repaired from time to time particularly at the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth centuries. However the church was used very seldom. The last recorded burial was in 1857, the last baptism in 1868 and the last marriage in 1870. The furnishings were stripped out, services were held less and less often until by 1948 it became a farmer's store. It was in this condition when it was bought back by its original owners the Orthodox Church for £50. It was in a state of very serious disrepair needing re-roofing, major support to the walls, and re-flooring. All the major work has now been completed.

The Church Building

As you approach the church from the gate into the field what you see is the red brick West face with the medieval door and a wooden lancet window. To the North and South are medieval sandstone walls with three small lancet windows in each. These can be dated to the Early English period (late 12th early 13th century). Notice that above the windows there are courses of later stonework. We know that by 1538 the church was in poor repair because water was pouring through the roof and running down the walls. It is probably that soon after the dissolution it was roofless and undergoing demolition, this is why five of the six lancet windows have lost their 'gothic tops'. Soon after the dissolution of the monasteries considerable repairs were initiated.The height of the north and south walls were restored and the roof was renewed.

The west wall is something of a problem. We now know from archaeological excavations that the church was originally longer than it now is, probably continuing for a further bay to the west. Whether this had been plundered of its stone, or whether it just collapsed we do not know but at some point a wall was erected including an existing roof truss. It would seem that this first wall was probably a wooden frame with wattle and daub in-fill. The rest of the church was demolished and squared off: You can still see the original door jambs however. At the beginning of the 18th century this wall was rebuilt in brick. Much of the woodwork is still in place, including the restored roof truss.

The East wall of the church is the least disturbed and is of a similar date to the north and south walls. It has three very fine Early English lancets.

When entering the church you may first notice the plaster covered truss that supports the roof at the east end. This cuts off the top of the central lancet window in a most unpleasing way. This was a Tudor repair. For some reason rather than repairing the East wall properly they inserted this truss to support the roof. Next notice the fine lancet windows with their reveals and then the central truss. This is Tudor work and considered to be very fine. Originally it seems to have been painted a grey green. The roof that you see is almost entirely new but notice that some of the original purlins remain - they are significantly smaller than the modern ones. You will also notice the modern ironwork which runs across the church. This serves two functions: to hold the walls together and to provide the framework for a gallery which we soon hope to build.

You may be struck by the extremely dirty and un-repaired state of the walls. Look closely and you will notice that they are actually designs and what you are seeing is the remains of the 14th century wall paintings. Possibly the whole church was once painted with these but now only the area east of the central lancets remain. The design is of vine like tendrils with small five petalled flowers. These were put on with the help of a stencil. On the north side above the new screen there is a figurative painting showing the murder of one of the Norman archbishops of Canterbury - Thomas Becket. He was murdered in Canterbury cathedral in 1170 by four courtiers of King Henry II for political reasons. The Roman Catholic Pope declared him a saint soon afterwards and a considerable cultus developed with pilgrimages to his shrine in Canterbury Cathedral. We do not know why this subject should have been chosen for our church. One suggestion is that there was local interest in Thomas because Shrewsbury Abbey had numerous important relics associated with him. Experts claim to be able to identify features in this painting. They are not obvious to the unpractised eye. When new these paintings must have been quite attractive. It is intended that we shall repair and restore these paintings in the near future; which will give a much more pleasing aspect to the church and may allow areas for modern iconographic wall-paintings.

The other ancient feature of note is the stone Saxon font in the North East corner of the church. It is made low like this so that the candidate for baptism could climb into the font and reflects the ancient method of baptism which of course the Orthodox Church continues to use to this day.

Modern Features of the Church

The most striking modern feature in the church is the new icon- screen. This was carved and built by a member of the congregation, using materials found in the church when we bought it, particularly the oak joists supporting the floor and parts of some of the dilapidated pews. The screen is thus made of English oak, and follows the design of many Early English rood screens but has carvings in a Byzantine style, thus reflecting the ancient fabric and the traditions of the Orthodox Church. The gaps in the screen now filled with small reproductions will eventually contain hand painted icons. These will be based on the middle period of Byzantine art such as the 11th century churches of Daphne and Osios Loukas in Greece. This style is serene, confidant and optimistic, characteristics so badly needed in our contemporary society but characteristic of the Orthodox Church today.

The Holy Table is carved in a Byzantine style from three different types of English stone. The design is based on a Holy Table in a Byzantine church in Ravenna.

There is still a great deal to do: the medieval plaster repaired and restored; the gallery built, the old bell cote re-built and many icons need to be painted. All will be done as funds become available.

The Greek Orthodox Community of the Holy Fathers of Nicea

In 1994, after protracted negotiations lasting some three years Sutton church was bought by the Orthodox Community of the Holy Fathers of Nicea. This community was founded in 1986 by The Very Rev'd Protopresbyter Alban Barter, the parish priest of St Barbara's Community in Chester, with the help of a small number of Orthodox Christians in the area. Later that year the community was given its own priest and started worshipping on a regular basis. First in Frankwell Methodist Church, then in St Chad's Anglican Church and finally for a short period in Shrewsbury Cemetery chapel. For much of this period we also used the Serbian Orthodox Church of St Nicholas, Barclay Court, Donnington, who provided us with a safe haven through many very difficult times. It was clear that we needed our own church.

Worship in Sutton church started immediately it was purchased, despite a leaking roof, a rubble strewn floor and draughty windows. Services in the winter were a test of endurance. However work started in January 1996 and the community were able to return to the church that August.

The community has grown over the years, includes Christians from a wide variety of backgrounds - Greek-Cypriot, British, Russian and Romanian. Apart from regular worship in the church the community publishes a magazine, runs a Greek school, has its own parish priest and runs a range of other activities: catechetical, social and educational. The consecration of our church was the fulfilment of the first part of our life as an Orthodox Christian Community. Our proper work, the bringing of the saving Truth of Christ our God to the World is about to begin.

The Orthodox Community of the Holy Fathers feels a great sense of responsibility towards our church in Sutton. The church founded by our forefathers at least a millenium ago, deserves a better fate than being a farm shed. It is hoped that when the restoration and decoration are completed, in the next millenium, it will not only be an asset to the district of Sutton and the town of Shrewsbury, but also a shining reaffirmation of the Christian Faith of its founders so long ago.

Thanks

The restoration of Sutton Church has been achieved through the generosity of many individuals from around the world. We also received substantial grants from English Heritage, The Historic Churches Preservation Trust, The St Nicholas Educational Trust, The Pilgrim Trust, and The Shropshire Historic Churches Trust. We have also been loaned money on an interest free basis by a number of individuals. We are very grateful to all these organisations and people, not only have they made it possible to restore the church, and to provide us with a home but they have saved this remarkable old church from total ruin.

Thank you.

Father Stephen Maxfield
Parish Priest

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